Tools Setup Checklist

Everything you need to set up before Session 1. Work through the steps in order — later steps build on earlier ones. Budget 1–3 hours total depending on how far you go. Times are estimates — it’s normal for some steps to take longer, especially if the tools are new to you.

At a Glance

Part 1: What You Need for the Course (~55 min)

Your AI platform plus one add-on that runs entirely inside it. This is the baseline every student needs to get real value from the course.

Step	What	Time	Status
1	AI Platform Setup	~45 min	Required
2	Hands-on AI Skills	~10 min	Required

Part 2: For Power Users (~85 min)

More advanced tools that work in collaboration with your AI platform. Pick any combination — each unlocks a specific capability. Steps 4–7 are one sequence: do them in order.

Step	What	Time	Status
3	Code Editor + Extensions	~15 min	Optional
4	GitHub Account	~10 min	Optional
5	Git	~10 min (Mac: up to 30 while Apple’s tools download)	Optional
6	GitHub CLI	~10 min	Optional
7	Create & Clone Your First Repository	~5 min	Optional
8	Voice to Text	~10 min	Optional

Part 3: Your AI Registry (~25 min)

The home for every workflow you build. In a Hands-on AI course? Skip it for now — we set it up together in Session 1. Working through the framework on your own? Set it up before you run Analyze.

Step	What	Time	Status
9	AI Registry	~25 min	In a course: done live in Session 1

Part 1 — What You Need for the Course

Your AI platform plus one add-on that lives inside it. Most students only need Part 1 to start getting real value from the course. The AI Registry (Part 3) is set up live in Session 1.

Step 1: AI Platform Setup

You need at least one AI platform set up before starting anything else. Pick whichever you prefer — you only need one. Each platform has a Getting Started guide that walks you through everything in one place.

Platform	Getting Started Guide
Claude (Anthropic)	Getting Started with Claude
OpenAI (ChatGPT + Codex)	Getting Started with OpenAI
Gemini (Google)	Getting Started with Gemini
M365 Copilot (Microsoft)	Getting Started with M365 Copilot

What: Create a paid AI platform account, configure it for your work, and connect it to the apps you already use. Your platform’s Getting Started guide walks you through all of this in one place — account creation, apps, personalization, memory, and connections.

Action: Follow your platform’s Getting Started guide from the table above.

Done when:

You have a paid AI platform account and can start conversations — at minimum Claude Pro, ChatGPT Plus, a Gemini Enterprise seat, or a Microsoft 365 Copilot license
You’ve installed your platform’s desktop app — the Claude desktop app, or ChatGPT for desktop (ChatGPT Work and Codex) — plus the mobile app if you want it
You’ve added personalization / custom instructions so the AI knows about your role and work
Memory is enabled so the AI remembers context across conversations
You’ve connected at least one external tool or data source (Google Docs, Slack, Notion, etc.)

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m setting up [Claude / ChatGPT / Gemini / Copilot] and running into this issue: [describe what’s happening]. What should I try?

Still stuck? Bring your question to Session 1.

Step 2: Hands-on AI Skills

What: Install the Hands-on AI skills that walk you through the AI Workflow Framework — analyze, deconstruct, design, build, test, run, improve. These are the step-by-step guides you’ll use throughout the course to take a workflow from “I think AI could help with this” to shipped and improving.

Action: Follow the Framework Skills setup guide →

Done when:

At least one skill is installed or added to your platform
You’ve invoked a skill in your AI tool and received a response

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m trying to add a skill to [your AI tool] on [Mac / Windows] and running into this issue: [describe what’s happening]. What should I check?

Part 2 — For Power Users

Tools for going further. All optional.

Step 3: Code Editor + Extensions

What: Install and configure Cursor or VS Code with AI model integration (Claude, ChatGPT Codex, Gemini Code Assist, or similar). Unlocks the ability to store your building blocks as files on your computer and edit them with AI assistance.

Action: Follow the Code Editor setup guide →

Done when:

You can open your editor and see the welcome screen or an empty workspace
At least one AI extension is installed for a platform you have a paid subscription to

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m setting up [Cursor / VS Code] on [Mac / Windows] and running into this issue: [describe what’s happening]. What should I try next?

Step 4: GitHub Account

What: Create your GitHub account and turn on two-factor authentication. Entirely in your browser — nothing to install. This is the first of three prerequisites (Steps 4–6) that together back your building blocks up to the cloud.

Action: Follow the GitHub Account setup guide →

Done when:

Prerequisite	Done when
1. GitHub account	You can sign in at github.com, there is no “verify your email” banner, and Settings → Password and authentication shows two-factor authentication Enabled

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m creating a GitHub account and turning on two-factor authentication, and I’m getting this error: [paste error]. What should I try?

Step 5: Git

What: Install Git and tell it your name and the email on your GitHub account. Keeps a full version history of your building blocks automatically.

Action: Follow the Git installation guide →

Done when:

Prerequisite	Done when
2. Git installed	`git --version` prints a version number, and `git config --global user.name` and `git config --global user.email` each print back the value you set

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m trying to install Git on [Mac / Windows] and getting this error: [paste error]. What should I try next?

Step 6: GitHub CLI

What: Install the GitHub CLI (gh) and log in once, so Git and the AI tools on your computer can reach GitHub as you.

Action: Follow the GitHub CLI setup guide →

Done when:

Prerequisite	Done when
3. GitHub CLI installed and logged in	`gh --version` prints a version number, and `gh auth status` prints `✓ Logged in to github.com account <your-username>`

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m installing the GitHub CLI (gh) on [Mac / Windows] and logging in with gh auth login, and I’m getting this error: [paste error]. What should I try?

Step 7: Create & Clone Your First Repository

What: Create a private repository on GitHub and clone it to your computer. This is the end-to-end proof that Steps 4–6 work together — and it gives you the folder you’ll build in.

Action: Follow the Repository Creation and Cloning guide →

Done when:

You can see the cloned repository’s files in your editor (or in the Claude Desktop Code tab)
In your terminal, you can navigate to the cloned folder (cd my-repo-name) and run git status — it shows On branch main

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m trying to clone a GitHub repository in [Cursor / VS Code] on [Mac / Windows] and getting this error: [paste error]. What should I try?

Step 8: Voice to Text

What: Configure system voice input or install a dedicated voice-to-text tool (Wispr Flow recommended). Lets you talk instead of type — faster for long prompts and more natural when you’re thinking out loud.

Action: Follow the Voice to Text setup guide →

Done when:

You can dictate text into any input field on your computer

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m setting up [Wispr Flow / Claude Desktop Quick Entry] on [Mac / Windows] for voice-to-text and running into this issue: [describe what’s happening]. What should I check?

Part 3 — Your AI Registry

In a Hands-on AI course? Skip this part — we set your registry up together in Session 1 — bring a services page, an org chart or team list, this year’s plan, and any process inventory or SOP folder if you have them. Already set it up? Bring it; the setup skill fills gaps rather than starting over.

Step 9: AI Registry

What: Set up your Markdown-based AI Registry — a generated REGISTRY.md index that tracks every workflow, skill, agent, and connected app in your workspace. No external accounts needed. The AI Workflow Framework reads it in Step 1 and writes to it at every step — set it up before you run Analyze.

Action: Follow the AI Registry setup guide →

What to bring (optional, saves time): something that lists what you sell or deliver, something that shows who does the work (an org chart or team list — roles are enough), something that says what matters this year, and optionally a process inventory or SOP folder. One shortens the interview; three turn it into confirmation.

Done when:

You have one folder for your registry — on your computer, in a synced cloud drive, or in a GitHub repository
The Hands-on AI skills from Step 2 are in your AI tool (if you added skills one at a time, that includes scaffolding-registry and indexing-registry)
registry/ exists with SCHEMA.md inside, and registry/workflows/index.md exists (empty is correct — Analyze fills it)
You can see your dashboard — REGISTRY.md next to your registry/ folder — listing your business, lines of business, functions, and processes

Stuck? Ask AI for help

I’m setting up my Markdown-based AI Registry (a registry/ bundle in my workspace) and running into this issue: [describe what’s happening]. What should I check?

What’s Next?

You’re all set for the course — nice work getting through the setup!

Quick test: Open your AI tool and ask: “What tools and connections do I have set up?” — this confirms everything is working together
Bookmark this page — it’s your ongoing reference for the tool setup
Start Session 1 — you’ll put these tools to work right away

Having trouble with any step? Bring your questions to the first session — we’ll troubleshoot together.

→ Back to courses overview